54 victoria crestline

[cvicky]

i bought a 54 with absolutly no history
licience plate says 1996
flat head v8 is stuck
no battery and car appears stock
QUESTION: IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO FIND OUT IF ITS SWITCHED OVER TO 12V AND IF I USE 12V BATTERY WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK MOTOR WILL IT DAMAGE

[marko39]

Check headlights for the voltage usually printed on them. If they are 6 volt you can still use a 12 volt battery to turn engine just make sure you go directly to starter which will isolate rest of system.

[russonator]

Not your question, but I would have expected first year y-block rather than the flatty. Is it Ford Canada by chance?

[dmsfrr]

There might be a legible label on the voltage regulator???

IF it was converted to 12v correctly... it will have 4 terminals on the starter solenoid instead of three... and a ballast resistor inline to the ignition coil.

[russonator]

Originally Posted by dmsfrr

There might be a legible label on the voltage regulator???

IF it was converted to 12v correctly... it will have 4 terminals on the starter solenoid instead of three... and a ballast resistor inline to the ignition coil.

Great tips.

[miker98038]

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Just to be curious, what else are you doing to free up the engine?

[marko39]

You would be better off trying to turn it with a breaker bar and socket on the crank pulley before using a battery. If that is successful then try a battery after pulling plugs and squirting oil in the cylinders.

[Robz51]

Probably some stuck valves. I'd pull the heads to investigate. You can put mervel mystery oil in the cylinders and soak for a few days then try to turn with breaker bar. Don't use the starter , you could damage something.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[cvicky]

half inch ratchet broke it free
6v head light
what class is Victoria Crestline
it has power assist steering , auto trans, 2 dr ht

[cvicky]

3 post solenoid
is it a big deal to convert to 12v

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by cvicky

3 post solenoid
is it a big deal to convert to 12v

Here's an info page (written for '55 T-Birds) that should give you a very good idea.

https://www.ctci.org/battery-for-6v-to-12v-conversion/

Wait to see how well the car works before converting, it may not be as bad as you're thinking.

A common problem is hard starting, engine turns over too slow. There can be easier solutions for that than a complete conversion, at this next link...
(large diameter battery & starter cables with clean connections)

https://www.ctci.org/gilsgarage/battery-cables/
.

[miker98038]

I’m not sure what you mean a about “class”. But those were a classy car, to of the line. Power steering a big deal. Questions about remains, is it a Canadian car, hence the flathead in a 54? Engine questions will problem give more answers under the flathead forums, body and chassis here. Neat car, pictures?

[kiwi nz]

Canadian 54's still used kingpins, so chassis different to USA as well.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by cvicky

half inch ratchet broke it free
6v head light
what class is Victoria Crestline
it has power assist steering , auto trans, 2 dr ht

As far as class; the Crestline models were the "flagship of the fleet" in '54 and a few previous years. "54 was the last year for the Crestline. It was replaced by the Fairlane in '55 which became the new "flagship of the fleet".
Decades ago, I knew an older fellow who had a '54 Crestline Vicky 2-dr hardtop with the glasstop and all the bells and whistles including power windows and 4-way power seat. Beautiful car. It is still around here somewhere but it never comes out until 4th of July parade.

[cvicky]

yap king pins
i have a 55 crown vic (american) LOVE it
this crestline has factory tinted glass
nice looking pink Canadian car with 6 V

[GLAmes]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

....... 2-dr hardtop with the glasstop and all the bells and whistles including power windows and 4-way power seat. Beautiful car. It is still around here somewhere but it never comes out until 4th of July parade.

That i what I have. Power steering, power brakes, electric windows and electric seat. It wasn't the best choice for a restoration because parts for the upgrades were hard to find and expensive.

[paul2748]

54 Canadian cars still had the flathead and kingpin front end.

[Daves55Sedan]

Originally Posted by paul2748

54 Canadian cars still had the flathead and kingpin front end.

So then, the Canadian '54's had the '49 thru '53 car frame, whereas the American '54's had the new '54 thru '56 frame.
Probably better off with the '53 or earlier frame as the front crossmember is much sturdier.

[cvicky]

it was suggested to put balist resister and use 12v battery to start 6v car ????

[dmsfrr]

The 6v starter can be run on 12v but don't grind & grind on it or put an excess load on it.

Converting the ignition to 12v? Connecting a 12v battery to run the car?
The chances of accidentally frying something else in the car are fairly high unless you are very very careful. Also remember the car was set up for Positive ground.


'If it ain't broke don't fix it.' . . . 'Don't let the factory smoke out.'

IF the car actually needs it, after all the delayed maint and general upkeep it hasn't had in the last however many years has been done...

The 6v starter can be run on 12v without altering or converting anything else on the car.
Just by adding a second 6v battery, starter cable(s) and another battery tray as needed.
See the attached diagram.

A well maintained 6v starter running on 6v should start the car just fine, baring other problems.
.